Lawmaker demands answers after WTOC Investigates uncovers veteran with Parkinson’s was jailed for 911 misuse

by Shea Schrader

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A state lawmaker is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to answer questions after WTOC Investigates uncovered a Liberty County veteran with Parkinson’s disease was arrested for misuse of 911.

Rep. Al Williams, who represents Liberty County in the State House and serves on the Veterans Affairs committee, said he wants answers from the VA about the case of Diane Gerrish.

READ: Disabled veteran with Parkinson’s disease arrested twice for misuse of 911

‘All arrows point towards the VA’

Williams, a veteran himself, said Gerrish’s arrest left him disappointed.

“I feel sad for a fellow veteran,” Williams said. “You really can’t continue to call 911 when there are really emergency calls that might need to get through. And from her standpoint, I think all arrows point towards the VA.”

Gerrish made more than 140 calls to Liberty County’s 911 system. Her veteran status was never mentioned in any police report.

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office told WTOC Investigates on Friday, after our original story aired, that deputies did reach out to the VA in Charleston about Gerrish’s case, saying the agency “utilized and exhausted all available resources in an attempt to provide the appropriate help.”

Lawmaker calls for direct VA-law enforcement relationship

Williams said the VA should establish a direct relationship with local law enforcement so that officers responding to veterans in crisis know who they are dealing with and who to call.

“They have a huge budget. We have 7,000 veterans,” Williams said. “They should reach out and let local people know, this is what we have available, and we’re available 24/7 to assist.”

Census data shows more than 8,000 veterans live in Liberty County, making up 11 percent of the population.

The VA declined to answer questions about Gerrish’s specific case or whether the agency has a relationship with local authorities to handle similar situations.

Williams adds that Georgia officers need better tools when responding to any mental health crisis, regardless of whether a veteran is involved.

“Police officers, like everybody else, are human. And they kind of go by the book. We realize in Georgia now that there needs to be some additions to the book,” Williams said.

Williams plans to contact VA secretary

Williams said he has a direct line to VA Secretary Doug Collins and intends to raise the issue.

“I must certainly bring it to his attention. [I] met with him a couple months ago in Washington,” Williams said. “Sometimes little problems on the ground don’t get up high enough to be helped. And I certainly want to see that change.”